The North Carolina State Wolfpack take on the Pitt Panthers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
Pittsburgh is favored by 6.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -245. The total is set at 54.5 points.
Here’s my NC State vs. Pittsburgh prediction and college football picks for Saturday, October 25.
NC State vs Pitt Prediction
- NC State vs. Pitt Pick: NC State +6.5 or Better
My Pitt vs. NC State best bet is on the Wolfpack to cover. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
NC State vs Pitt Odds
| NC State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -108 | 52.5 -112o / -108u | +180 |
| Pitt Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -112 | 52.5 -112o / -108u | -218 |
- NC State vs Pitt Spread: Pitt -5.5, NC State +5.5
- NC State vs Pitt Over/Under: 52.5 Points
- NC State vs Pitt Moneyline: Pitt ML -218, NC State ML +180
NC State vs Pitt NCAAF Pick to Bet
Pitt has won and covered three straight games with new freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel, but some context is needed.
The Panthers destroyed three teams in absolute free-fall mode in Boston College, Florida State, and Syracuse. Those three opponents have lost a combined 13 consecutive games in large part due to injuries.
As a result, Pitt might be a bit overvalued in the market.
Even last week against a Syracuse team already down to a backup quarterback (and was even using a third-string freshman at one point), Pitt could only muster 255 yards in a game with a very misleading final score.
The Orange turned it over three times, went 1-for-3 on fourth down, and flipped the game with horrid clock management in the first half, leading to a Pitt punt return touchdown.
Meanwhile, Florida State just lost to Stanford, and Boston College's backups are getting blown out every week.
Pitt is also beat up on the defensive side of the ball, where you need to beat their aggressive quarters coverage with explosive passes.
Well, NC State is certainly well-equipped to do just that with quarterback CJ Bailey, who will have his two top receivers back at 100% health in addition to the dynamic Hollywood Smothers in the backfield and Justin Joly, one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the country.
Additionally, Pitt's offense still doesn't have a 100% healthy Desmond Reid, who was on a pitch count last week against Syracuse. He's the most explosive player on the roster for the Panthers.
Plus, Syracuse provided a bit of a blueprint for flummoxing Heintschel by using a high rate of twists and stunts up front and an abundance of exotic blitzes, which ultimately led to seven sacks. The book on Heintschel is out, and NC State had plenty of time to read it.
Earlier this season, NC State handed Virginia its only loss and beat a very underrated Wake Forest team on the road. The Pack also outplayed Duke in an unlucky loss on the road.
But they went on a bit of a skid and bottomed out against Notre Dame in South Bend, which is certainly understandable.
Well, the bye came at a perfect time after seven straight games to open the season, which led to several injuries. The Wolfpack will come out of the break much healthier and should look better on both sides of the ball under two new coordinators.
As I've mentioned countless times this season, I really value these bye weeks for teams that had dual coordinator turnover in the offseason. The freshmen on the back end of the defense could particularly benefit from some additional practice time.
This is a perfect opportunity to buy low on the Pack while selling high on the Panthers, who always seem to trip up as hopes rise in the Steel City.
Pick: NC State +6.5 or Better
